head-scratch·ing
ˈhed-ˌskra-chiŋ 
informal
: the act or activity of scratching one's head while pondering or puzzling over something difficult to understand
—used figuratively
Every year, around the middle of October, the finalists for the National Book Awards are announced to general bafflement. Specifically, it's the fiction shortlist that provokes head-scratching.—
Laura Miller
Laura MillerThis is, ahem, a very complex scientific process involving a great deal of head-scratching and thoughtful staring.—Tom Jordan
Tom Jordan
also
: confusion
informal
: difficult to understand : causing puzzlement or confusion
… the system can lead to head-scratching results …—Mark Bechtel
Mark Bechtel… we'll be revisiting some of the best, worst, and most head-scratching moments from our archives.—Doug Brod
Doug Brod
head-scratchingly
adverb
head-scratchingly poor decisions
Examples of head-scratching in a Sentence
Noun
poorly worded instructions that must have resulted in a lot of head-scratching
Recent Examples on the Web
Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 20 Nov. 2025
The quirky show just debuted on Apple TV on Nov. 7, 2025 and its myriad head-scratching mysteries are causing quite a pop culture stir.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 14 Nov. 2025
Alec Lewis, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Yes, Bo Nix had a head-scratching pick on Denver’s first drive.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2025
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Noun
In one of the more head-scratching CHSAA seeding index outcomes, a Holy Family team that beat Mead 27-21 in Week 6 inside the Mavericks’ own stadium must trek back to Longmont for a rematch.
—Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 20 Nov. 2025
The quirky show just debuted on Apple TV on Nov. 7, 2025 and its myriad head-scratching mysteries are causing quite a pop culture stir.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 14 Nov. 2025
Adjective
McCarthy, to this point, is a mobile quarterback capable of high-end flashes along with head-scratching misses.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Yes, Bo Nix had a head-scratching pick on Denver’s first drive.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for head-scratching
Cite this Entry
“Head-scratching.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/head-scratching. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.
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